Home Minutes - Board of TrusteesMARCH 7, 2023 BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES

MARCH 7, 2023 BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES

June 19, 2023| Minutes - Board of Trustees|

KIMBALL TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES

2160 WADHAMS ROAD, KIMBALL, MI 48074

REGULAR MEETING

MARCH 7, 2023

6:30 P.M.

Usakowski opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: Usakowski, Jackson, Wrubel, Hoffman, Deland, Ward and Nelson.

 

ABSENT: None.

 

ALSO PRESENT: Ed Gratz, Fire Chief and Neil Erickson, Building Inspector.

 

  1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

    Nelson would like to add to Old Business, B. Planning Commission Request for a Planner and under New Business, D. New Discussion on County ARPA funds.

    Usakowski, add E. New Resolution 2023-02. Wrubel, add F. New DPW truck, and Jackson, add G. New uncollectable fire bills.

     

    Wrubel motioned to approve the agenda as amended supported by Ward.

    Motion Carried.

 

  1. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 21, 2023

    Jackson motioned to approve the minutes for February 21, 2023 as presented supported by Ward. Motion Carried.

    

III.    CONSENT AGENDA AND COMMUNICATIONS

        A.
Check Register from 02/15/2023 to 02/28/2023

  1. Revenue & Expenditure Report for Period Ending 02/28/2023

Usakowski advised that we have bills totaling $894,131.60.

 

Wrubel motioned to pay the bills totaling $894,131.60 supported by Jackson.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Wrubel, Jackson, Nelson, Deland, Hoffman, Usakowski and Ward. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.

 

  1. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
  2. Board of Public Works of the County of St. Clair Minutes for February 07, 2023
  3. Board of County Road Commission of the County of St. Clair Minutes for February 07, 2023
  4. Planning Commission Minutes for January 24, 2023

Hoffman motioned to receive and file boards and commissions supported by Ward.

 

Jackson mentioned Waste Water Treatment Project of $97,000.00 includes 15% contribution by the township. Motion Carried.

 

  1. PUBLIC COMMENT (Brief Comments)

Dawn Nowicki, 150 Burns Road: Requesting update to inquiry regarding recording board meetings for public review.

 

Usakowski: Not at this time.

 

Nowicki: Do we have any updates on what is happening with Reck’s at Sturdevant and Dove Roads?

 

Usakowski: We just issued him another ticket.

 

Erickson: He paid the $500 ticket.

 

Nowicki: As far as the resolution, I don’t think that the county commissioners are looking for specifically what you are looking to spend the money on today.

 

Usakowski: Discussion.

 

  1. OLD BUSINESS
  2. Budget Report for Kimball Township 2023-24

Usakowski asked for any changes to proposed budget. I will email out a budget report to you.

 

  1. Planning Commission Request for a Planner

Usakowski: I had another conversation with Bill Orr. I listened to the tape from the Planning Commission meeting and there was a lot of misinformation. Barrett was saying that Edward Lane doesn’t have a homeowners association but they do. A planner doesn’t resolve homeowner association issues. We continue to hear someone who is in front of the Planning Commission that want to talk about their project and all they are hearing from the board is everything else but the project. Just tell the applicant what needs to be done.

 

Discussion.

 

Usakowski: The developer pays for the planner not the township.

 

Nelson said that Barrett doesn’t want the developer to pay for it.

 

Erickson said he asked the Planning Commission if they need any information before the meeting. Only one member asked about an escrow account for performance bond. I advised it was in their Developmental Ordinance. In the ordinance it states about easements, road construction and what we allow and don’t allow. Mr. Monte has a copy of the ordinance. It was a private road. It says right in the Developmental Ordinance it has to meet the county standards. Same with the easements. They just need to work through it.

 

Usakowski: They need to pick up their agendas before the night of the meeting.

What is not getting done that the planner would address?

 

Discussion.

 

The developer explained what will be done from one phase to the other. It will be a ten year project.

 

Nelson: The board is overwhelmed. Also, Barrett said that there is a trust issue.

 

Usakowski: A motion is required and minutes have to reflect motion.

 

Ward motioned to deny the $5,000 to spend for a planner supported by Deland.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Ward, Deland, Wrubel, Jackson and Usakowski. NO: Nelson and Hoffman. ABSENT: None. (5-2-0) Motion Carried.

 

Usakowski asked Hoffman to go back to the Planning Commission and advise them if they want to pursue this moving forward they would need to put some criteria down on exactly when a planner is going to be used, how it is going to be used, and what issues they want addressed. This way the office staff will have a procedure in place at the time of application to know when a planner will be needed.

 

  1. NEW BUSINESS
    1. FIRE: Request for Proposal (Radio Equipment Upgrade)

    Chief Gratz explained the cost and grant for new Fire Department radios.

     

    Deland motioned to allow Chief Gratz to send out the request for proposal for radio equipment upgrades supported by Nelson. Motion Carried.

     

    1. FIRE: Request for Expenditure Over $500 (Nozzles)

    This expenditure will use ARPA Funding to upgrade appliances (nozzles). Request to purchase three new nozzles with a lifetime warrantee. The company sets price and no bids are required regardless of vendor. The cost is $7,790.00 for three.

     

    Discussion.

     

    Deland motioned to approve the $7,790.00 for three new nozzles and additional appliances for the Fire Department supported by Nelson.

     

    ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Deland, Nelson, Usakowski, Wrubel, Hoffman, Ward and Jackson. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.

     

    Gratz: We did receive a DNR Grant from Michigan DNR to put in a dry hydrant with a 50% match. It allows us to put a dry hydrant into a lake or pond. We have found a couple of places to put it. It will go into a non-hydrant area. It will probably be closer to the Wales Township border but will service us. It will cost around $4,500.00. Also looking into option of private resident dry hydrants.

     

    We are having a pancake breakfast on May 21st for Station II updates.

 

  1. Park Attendant

Usakowski: We are posting for a park attendant this week. The starting pay will be $15.00 an hour and the park will open on April 1st.

 

  1. Application for the County ARPA Funds

Usakowski: Joi did send me an application for the funds. I am unclear of the details or criteria for filling out the application. It could help with the $4.9 million sewer project. I will contact Joi for further details.

 

  1. Resolution 2023-02: Resolution for Further Review of County ARPA Funds

Usakowski explained what this entails.

 

Deland motioned to approve Resolution 2023-02 supported by Nelson.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Deland, Nelson, Jackson, Hoffman, Usakowski, Ward and Wrubel. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.

 

  1. New DPW truck

Wrubel has three bids for a new truck.

  1. Lafontaine: $56,304.00
  2. Morans: $43,000.00
  3. MI Deal     $32,638.00

We don’t need a plow. The old truck is in bad shape and I would like to sell it.

 

Jackson wants to know where we are going to budget this from.

 

Discussion.

 

Wrubel motioned to approve buying the new truck from MIDeal at a cost of $32,638.00 supported by Ward.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Wrubel, Ward, Hoffman, Deland, Nelson and Usakowski. NO: Jackson. ABSENT: None. (6-1-0) Motion Carried.

 

 

  1. New Uncollectable Fire Bills

Jackson explained that there is older unpaid fire bills still owing $3,709.00. We have six bills that that we need to write off. Tom already attempted to collect from these.

 

Deland motioned to approve the dismissal of the six fire bills totaling $3,709.00 supported by Wrubel.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Deland, Wrubel, Jackson, Hoffman, Usakowski, Ward and Nelson. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.

 

  1. DEPARTMENT REPORTS

    None.

     

  2. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

    Dennis McCallom, 702 Allen Road: Questioned about the Fire millage and if they will be on both winter and summer taxes.

     

    Jackson: Just the winter.

     

    McCallom: I did go to the last Planning Commission Meeting and I was wondering about the $3,000.00 that was paid to Tetra Tech for plan site review on Allen Road. Is that monies paid from Kimball Township?

     

    Usakowski: That money comes from the developer. The developer puts down $5,000.00 for engineering fees and that money is taken out of that $5,000.00.

     

    McCallom questioned about the retention pond and the fees for homeowners.

     

    Discussion.

     

    William Baker, 1290 Richman Road: I believe that the Planning Commission appears to be requesting assistance for issues beyond their scope of responsibility.

     

    Usakowski: A performance bond may help, but will not prevent these issues. We cannot force private businesses to complete a project.

     

X.    OFFICERS REPORT

A. Supervisor Usakowski

April 1st will be the Easter Egg Hunt. We are talking about alternative locations for inclement weather. We have 50 kids signed up already.

 

Ward: What time is it at?

 

Usakowski: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

My desktop computer is old and needs to be replaced as well as the bookkeeper. For a new computer it will cost $923.75 which includes set-up and software. We have it scheduled for next year’s budget. Total cost for two will be $1,847.50 for the next budget year.

 

Deland motioned to approve the cost of two new computers for the supervisor and bookkeeper at a cost of $1,847.50 for both supported by Ward.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Deland, Ward, Wrubel, Nelson, Hoffman, Jackson and Usakowski. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.

 

This Saturday is our Master Plan Kick-off at 9 a.m. This is for all the boards and members. It will give the opportunity to discuss areas of concerns and the direction of the township.

 

B.
Clerk Wrubel

We received approval for the tree at the DPW to be taken down and we have another two that need to be removed. The total cost is $3,700.00 for all three from Alex and Sons Tree Removal.

 

Deland motioned to hire Alex and Sons Tree Removal to cut down the three trees at the DPW for $3,700.00 supported by Hoffman.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Deland, Hoffman, Wrubel, Jackson, Usakowski, Ward and Nelson. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.

 

The DPW is asking for summer help again this year with the mapping and odd jobs. It would be for 28 to 30 hours per week for $15.00 an hour from April to October. No insurance or benefits.

 

Deland motioned to proceed to hire summer help for the DPW for 28 to 30 hours a week and $15.00 an hour from April to October supported by Jackson.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Deland, Jackson, Wrubel, Hoffman, Ward, Usakowski and Nelson. NO: None. ABSENT: None. (7-0-0) Motion Carried.

 

Last meeting I talked about getting donations for the newsletter to off-set the printing cost. I am going to hold off until Fall because I won’t have time before the Spring newsletter. The final deadline for the Spring newsletter to submit anything is March 22nd.

 

The DPW had community workers help with the cleanup on the back roads and ended up with 100 tires, mattresses, bath tub, etc. The dumpster is full.

 

We bought new veteran insignias for the cemetery and brought one in for you to see.

  1. Treasurer Jackson

93.3% taxes have been collected in the amount of $9,314,000.00.

 

We are transferring back and forth between banks.

 

Review of financials.

 

  1. Trustee Hoffman

No report.

 

  1. Trustee Deland

You (Erickson) said Reck’s just got another ticket and they paid it.

 

Erickson: Yes.

 

Deland: How often are they going to get ticketed?

 

Erickson: We can give one weekly.

 

Discussion.

 

Deland questioned about the Greenhouse on Range Road about it being a wetland.

 

Discussion about tires for the clean-up which will be April 22nd.

 

  1. Trustee Nelson

The county is going to continue with the Spongy Moth Project. They had complaints from residents about the type of chemicals they used. It might be possible to opt out of the spraying.

 

Usakowski said he will talk to Kristen about it.

 

  1. Trustee Ward

I need to get into the park before it opens. The Little League will be adding a new division.

 

  1. ADJOURNMENT

    Wrubel motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:29 p.m. supported by Deland.

    Motion Carried.

     

    Motioned adjourned at 8:29 p.m.

     

    Submitted by Becky Wrubel, Clerk

Last modified: June 19, 2023

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